UPDATE 1-Olympics-WADA finds BOA compliant

MONTREAL, May 18 (Reuters) - The British Olympic Association(BOA) avoided possible sanctionsahead of the 2012 London Olympics when the World Anti-DopingAgency (WADA) found it code compliant on Friday.

The BOA informed WADA on Thursday, just prior to WADA'sFoundation Board meeting, that it had accepted a ruling by theCourt of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and revoked its rule oflifetime bans for drug cheats.

The BOA had asked CAS to mediate after WADA ruled the lifeban did not comply with its global doping code, which providesfor a maximum two-year ban for a first offence.

Under International Olympic Committee (IOC) rules, allcountries and sports must be code compliant to take part in aSummer or Winter Games.

The CAS decision cleared the way for sprinter Dwain Chambersand cyclist David Millar, who have both served bans for doping,to be considered for selection to Britain's Olympic team.

WADA chief John Fahey said he was keen to put the dispute inthe past and get on with the job of catching drug cheats.

"The simple fact of the matter is we have a job to do, wedid our job," Fahey told reporters.

"I was always prepared to defend what I thought wasill-informed comment and I believe I had that obligation andaccepted it on behalf of the thousands of anti-doping personnelaround the world.

"I hope that is the end of the saga and we should befocusing on our work of catching cheats, not in court arguingabout rules."

The BOA's grudging acceptance of the CAS ruling has donelittle to bring a truce between WADA and the Britishassociation, which has indicated it will lead a push for toughersanctions in the next overhaul of the doping code.

Despite ruling against the BOA, the case exposed an appetitein some quarters for harsher punishment for drug cheats.

The WADA code has already undergone one review and theanti-doping agency has just begun a second.

Fahey said the first submissions had already been receivedand a first draft discussion would be released on June 1.

The review process will continue for 13 months before finalrecommendations are made and the changes voted on at aFoundation Board a meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa inNovember 2013.

The revised code would then go into effect on January 1,2015.

"The first draft no doubt will attract some considerablecomment on the question of sanctions and we have a bit to gobefore we know where that finishes up," said Fahey.

"Many people want to see changes to the code and everybodyhas the opportunity to put submissions in.

"If the BOA has some thoughts communicate them to us and wewill certainly consider them along with every other comment."

WADA reiterated that it already has four-year bans as anoption but they are rarely used because such punitive sanctionsare difficult to enforce.

"There is no point having harsh penalties if civil courtsare likely to throw them straight out," said Fahey.